Investigation by Price PD leads to federal charges

Federal authorities made an appearance in Price last week as United States Marshals, acting on behalf of the U.S. Attorney General, arrested a Price man for multiple felony offenses.

On Aug. 8, the Marshals along with area law enforcement, arrested Anthony Earl Davis, 51, on five alleged felonies. The charges, which carry a 10 year minimum sentencing guideline, include firearms- related as well as drug distribution and trafficking charges.

According to Price City Police Capt. Bill Barnes, the investigation which led to Davis' arrest began when local officers were investigating an unrelated automobile burglary in mid-May.

"During the course the investigation, just about every officer on the force worked either the automobile case or Davis' arrest, it was just one of those kind of cases," explained Barnes. "In that respect just about everybody knew what was going on. Subsequently, a very alert officer made a stop concerning a known suspect. The officer was right on the money and there in plain view was an item of stolen property which had been catalogued."

Barnes reported that the officer subsequently obtained several other pieces of stolen property from the driver, whom the captain did not identify. A lengthy investigation followed and it was determined by the Price Police that Davis was the recipient of some of the stolen items from the car burglary which included jewelry and a weapon.

"He is not allowed to be in possession of a firearm due to his criminal history," explained Barnes. "The investigation continued from that point and eventually our department had enough for a search warrant."

According to the captain, on May 26, the Price Department executed their warrant. Information provided to police, alleged that Davis was involved with drug trafficking as well as dealing in stolen property and guns.

"We partnered with the Carbon County Sheriff's SWAT Team on a no-knock warrant which our guys served flawlessly," said Barnes. "He was taken into custody along with three other suspects that evening. Allegedly, a number of drug items were seized along with five firearms, two of which were stolen, one from a previous case and one from the automobile case."

The suspect also was reportedly in possession of a large amount of ammunition, which is a violation of his status as a convicted felon.

"When you couple firearms with drugs the feds get involved. In light of that partnership, we have been cooperating from day one with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and US Attorney's Office," explained Barnes. "They have also been working this case for some time and with our information thought the time was right seek an indictment."

According to Davis' US District Court papers, the defendant has been charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

According to Barnes, the three felonies carry at least a 10 year minimum sentence, which could be elevated due to Davis' prior criminal history.

The indictment specifies that Davis knowingly possessed; a Colt (.45 caliber) Defender, a Ruger Single Six (.22 caliber) Revolver, a Ruger MK II (.22 caliber) Semi-Auto Pistol and a Springfield XD (.45 caliber). A large amount of ammunition was also reportedly found during the police search.

Once the Price Police learned that ATF officers had posted Davis' warrant, a call went out to locate the suspect, who was taken into custody within an hour's time.

"From what I understand, the district charges that we have against Davis will be dropped as he is now facing a federal court," explained Barnes. "Also from what I understand, Davis will now be with federal authorities through the duration of his trial."

Barnes said that Davis has been alleged to have intimidated several members of the community in the recent past. However, no one had ever came forward with an actual complaint.